I'd prefer him to be one of the top 12. To me, I'd prefer him getting the 9-game tryout and see what he can do as opposed to having him sit and hope that he can handle the NHL if/when needed.
- jmatchett383

I certainly want him playing if he's on the team, and not sitting. I think the Flyers feel that he's NHL ready, and is going to make the team. Unless some Cap reason forces them to send him back, or he plays poorly, I think his chances of making the team are high.

I disagree. His role on the team has to make sense for him to be here.
- dingo8urbaby

How would Laughton playing on the Wing not make sense?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Clarke and Childhood Sports Heroes
- bmeltzer

As a small kid, Bobby Clarke was the end all, be all of sports hero to me. Even now, when I watch an old game, I feel like a kid. When I got older, my adulation moved to Brad McCrimmon and Mark Howe, and Beast remains my favorite Flyer to this day.

I had heroes in other sports-Pete Rose and Tug McGraw in baseball, Moses Malone in basketball, Ron Jaworski in football-but they paled in comparison to Clarkie, Howe and the Beast.

My first childhood sports hero was Shaquille O'Neal.

I grew up in London, ON in the 80s and 90s so of course Lindros was my first Flyers idol.
- Coburns_Nose

I guess it could be worse.

Sorry, I wasn't aware that it's a certainty that Gagne is getting signed and I didn't know we had McGinn pencilled in as a starter. I'm not trying to be smug, but you're assuming a lot.
If Gagne is signed, then he'd competing against Read for the 4th line winger, barring injury. If Gagne is not signed, and you're assuming McGinn's in, then he's competing against McGinn.
- jmatchett383

If Gagne doesn't return, then Laughton is probably battling with McGinn for the third line LW spot, with Talbot on the 4th line. Rosehill is going to be Shelley, in all probability, playing in games where Laviolette feels the need for an enforcer.

I do feel Gagne does ultimately end up re-signing, after they make their cap moves. I'm not for or against Laughton making the team, nor do I care if he's a wing or a center. If he makes the team, I want him playing 10-12 minutes a night. Otherwise, he's probably better served as an Oshawa General.

How would Laughton playing on the Wing not make sense?
- MJL

He has ability to do both with his better position being center. I can honestly see him going back to Oshawa. But not without giving them a tough choice to make in doing it.

I guess it could be worse.
- ob18

Says the President & Grand Pooh-Bah of the Lasse Kukkonen fan club

He has ability to do both with his better position being center. I can honestly see him going back to Oshawa. But not without giving them a tough choice to make in doing it.
- ob18

That's what I want to see most-I want Laughton to make it the most difficult decision that Holmgren has to make all year long.

How would Laughton playing on the Wing not make sense?
- MJL

Why would it? How much time has Laughton seen on the wing in junior? Adam Hall isn't just a fourth line center, Adam Hall has seen plenty of wing time in his career, so there is a chance Laughton takes that fourth line center role but I would say it's looking more and more unlikely, especially if Gagne gets signed. Laughton didn't make the team this season because he was great in camp. There was no camp. He was already playing in junior, already in shape and due to the injury to Danny Briere there was an open spot for Laughton to play. It made sense. Nothing more, nothing less.

He has ability to do both with his better position being center. I can honestly see him going back to Oshawa. But not without giving them a tough choice to make in doing it.
- ob18

He certainly can play either position. I personally don't see what another year in Juniors would do for him. I think if he's NHL ready, and is capable of playing on the Flyers, they should make a spot for him. If they feel he is ready, I'd rather see them play Laughton then to re-sign Gagne. I think that's better for the player, and for the future of the Flyers.

If Gagne doesn't return, then Laughton is probably battling with McGinn for the third line LW spot, with Talbot on the 4th line. Rosehill is going to be Shelley, in all probability, playing in games where Laviolette feels the need for an enforcer.

I do feel Gagne does ultimately end up re-signing, after they make their cap moves. I'm not for or against Laughton making the team, nor do I care if he's a wing or a center. If he makes the team, I want him playing 10-12 minutes a night. Otherwise, he's probably better served as an Oshawa General.
- Jsaquella

Unless I worded my posts wrong, I.couldn't agree more.

Why would it? How much time has Laughton see on the wing in junior? Adam Hall isn't just a fourth line center, Adam Hall has seem plenty of wing time in his career, so there is a chance Laughton takes that fourth line center role but I would say it's looking more and more unlikely, especially if Gagne gets signed. Laughton didn't make the team this season because he was great in camp. There was no camp. He was already playing in junior, already in shape and due to the injury to Danny Briere there was an open spot for Laughton to play. It made sense. Nothing more, nothing less.
- dingo8urbaby

Well then Laugton can play Center, and Hall on the Wing. It really doesn't matter to me. If Laughton is one of the top 13 Forwards then it makes sense for him to make the team. Regardless of if he plays Center or Wing.
What happened last Season is irrelevant to this upcoming Season. Countless player after player has come up to the NHL and played a different position in thier early years. Gagne was a Center in Juniors.

He certainly can play either position. I personally don't see what another year in Juniors would do for him. I think if he's NHL ready, and is capable of playing on the Flyers, they should make a spot for him. If they feel he is ready, I'd rather see them play Laughton then to re-sign Gagne. I think that's better for the player, and for the future of the Flyers.
- MJL

I can see what another year at juniors does for him. Laughton wasn't an out and out stud last year, he had a very good year and played well, as his team's second line center behind Boone Jenner.

Also, as good as he was, there's room to get better. I don't think he was that dominant at the OHL level to say he has nothing left to prove there. That said, I have no issue if he ends up as a Flyer.

Hartnell - Giroux - Voracek
Simmonds - Lecavalier - Schenn
Read - Couturier - Read
Rosehill - Hall - Rinaldo

Who am I missing?
- jmatchett383

vinny has demanded to play on giroux's line

please ammend

Unless I worded my posts wrong, I.couldn't agree more.
- dingo8urbaby

I wouldn't be amazed if they kept Laughton and used Hall as the 13th forward. If they can't trade Meszaros, Rosehill might have to start the season as a Phantom.

I can see what another year at juniors does for him. Laughton wasn't an out and out stud last year, he had a very good year and played well, as his team's second line center behind Boone Jenner.

Also, as good as he was, there's room to get better. I don't think he was that dominant at the OHL level to say he has nothing left to prove there. That said, I have no issue if he ends up as a Flyer.
- Jsaquella

Personally I don't think it has anything to do with proving anything. I think playing and practicing in the NHL, even in a limited role, will be more beneficial to him in his development as a player. Then playing another year in Juniors would be. Even if he was the #1 Center down there. I think that would be a waste. If he shows that he's not ready for the NHL in camp, then send him down. The only caveat to it is the Cap situation. But I think they should do everything they can to do what is best for the player.

Says the President & Grand Pooh-Bah of the Lasse Kukkonen fan club
- Jsaquella

You are the VP of said club.

I wouldn't be amazed if they kept Laughton and used Hall as the 13th forward. If they can't trade Meszaros, Rosehill might have to start the season as a Phantom.
- Jsaquella

Worst case scenario I hope. Wouldn't Rosehill have to go threw waivers?

Personally I don't think it has anything to do with proving anything. I think playing and practicing in the NHL, even in a limited role, will be more beneficial to him in his development as a player. Then playing another year in Juniors would be. Even if he was the #1 Center down there. I think that would be a waste. If he shows that he's not ready for the NHL in camp, then send him down. The only caveat to it is the Cap situation. But I think they should do everything they can to do what is best for the player.
- MJL

I don't think it'd be a waste in the least. He was just over a point per game. This is hardly dominating or playing at level that demonstrates that he can't gain from another year in juniors.

Certainly, if he makes the team, he should stick. But there's no way I'd assure him a spot. In fact, IMO, he'd have to play at a high enough level to force me to keep him, rather than just nudging out a current 4th liner.

Because, yes, he'd absolutely benefit more by playing 20+ minutes a night, in all situations in Oshawa than he would playing 5-7 minutes a night as a 4th liner/ spare part in Philly.

Worst case scenario I hope. Wouldn't Rosehill have to go threw waivers?
- dingo8urbaby

Yep. And if he's claimed, they could get another player similar to him for a bag of peanuts. I'm not at all worried about losing Rosehill.

I still don't see how they can trade Meszaros before camp. They might not be able to move him until later than that, which would require sending a few of the fringe guys to the AHL, on paper at least.

They need to be under the cap at the end of camp, then they can LTIR Pronger and get his full cap hit as LTIR relief. To do that, they can waive and "send" Rosehill, Bourdon and Gervais to the AHL, and then immediately recall one or two of them.

Then they can fit Meszaros and Gagne under the cap, via the LTIR relief of Pronger.

I don't think it'd be a waste in the least. He was just over a point per game. This is hardly dominating or playing at level that demonstrates that he can't gain from another year in juniors.

Certainly, if he makes the team, he should stick. But there's no way I'd assure him a spot. In fact, IMO, he'd have to play at a high enough level to force me to keep him, rather than just nudging out a current 4th liner.

Because, yes, he'd absolutely benefit more by playing 20+ minutes a night, in all situations in Oshawa than he would playing 5-7 minutes a night as a 4th liner/ spare part in Philly.
- Jsaquella

I guess we disagree then. First of all I think he'll be playing more then 5-7 minutes a game if he stays here. Secondly, I think playing even in a limited 4th line role would be more beneficial to his development, then playing 20 minutes a game in Juniors, in all situations, against 17 and 18 year olds. I think he needs to play against men. And I think the Flyers think the same way. Unless he shows he's not ready for the NHL, then he should make the team.

You are the VP of said club.
- ob18

I hate Lasse Kukkonen like Justin Bieber fans hate Selena Gomez

Yep. And if he's claimed, they could get another player similar to him for a bag of peanuts. I'm not at all worried about losing Rosehill.

I still don't see how they can trade Meszaros before camp. They might not be able to move him until later than that, which would require sending a few of the fringe guys to the AHL, on paper at least.

They need to be under the cap at the end of camp, then they can LTIR Pronger and get his full cap hit as LTIR relief. To do that, they can waive and "send" Rosehill, Bourdon and Gervais to the AHL, and then immediately recall one or two of them.

Then they can fit Meszaros and Gagne under the cap, via the LTIR relief of Pronger.
- Jsaquella

The Flyers will have to keep Pronger off of LTIR until the first day of the Season, to get the full LTIR relief. Not at the end of Camp.

I guess we disagree then. First of all I think he'll be playing more then 5-7 minutes a game if he stays here. Secondly, I think playing even in a limited 4th line role would be more beneficial to his development, then playing 20 minutes a game in Juniors, in all situations, against 17 and 18 year olds. I think he needs to play against men. And I think the Flyers think the same way. Unless he shows he's not ready for the NHL, then he should make the team.
- MJL

is this how you feel about all young players or simply with Laughton?

I guess we disagree then. First of all I think he'll be playing more then 5-7 minutes a game if he stays here. Secondly, I think playing even in a limited 4th line role would be more beneficial to his development, then playing 20 minutes a game in Juniors, in all situations, against 17 and 18 year olds. I think he needs to play against men. And I think the Flyers think the same way. Unless he shows he's not ready for the NHL, then he should make the team.
- MJL

If the Flyers end up keeping Gagne, combined with the re-signing of Hall, the waters are more cloudy than a flat statement saying that the Flyers expect him to make the roster.

I disagree that playing in a limited 4th line role is better than playing more minutes in the OHL. This isn't a kid that has proven that he can flat out dominate the OHL. If he had shown that, I'd agree wholeheartedly that he'd be better served in the NHL.

The other aspect, or elephant in the room, is that Laviolette could be under the gun if they start slow, which means he might decide to roll the vets to give his team a better shot to win and save his own neck, at the expense of Laughton's development.